FDA issues warning on two drugs that look and sound alike

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January 23, 2008

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning for two drugs commonly referred to as EDTA, reports The Wall Street Journal. One drug, edetate calcium, is used to treat severe lead poisoning, while edetate disodium is used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood. The FDA has received recent reports of children being treated for lead poisoning with the wrong drug.

Both drugs are fairly dangerous on their own, without the possibility of being confused for the other, and the FDA is considering banning the sale of edetate disodium in the U.S. These drugs are not part of The Joint Commission's Look-alike/ sound-alike drug list.

To read the story, click here.